afghanistan national cricket team vs zimbabwe national cricket team timeline
Introduction: Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team Timeline
You know how some rivalries are born out of hatred?
This one wasn’t. The Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe story is different — it’s built on respect, hard work, and that burning desire to prove the world wrong.
When I first watched these two teams play back in 2014, I didn’t expect goosebumps. But there it was — pure emotion, every ball, every run, every smile. Both nations had walked through storms — political struggles, limited resources, and tough journeys — yet here they were, battling like warriors on the same green battlefield.
Honestly, this rivalry feels personal. It’s not India vs Pakistan loud; it’s quiet, heartfelt, and full of spirit — like two brothers pushing each other to be better.
Table of Contents
Timeline of the Rivalry: Year by Year
Let’s rewind time and walk through the Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team timeline — a story told in matches, memories, and magic.
| Year | Series/Tournament | Format | Location | Result | Highlight Moment |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2014 | Bilateral Series | ODI | Bulawayo, Zimbabwe | Afghanistan won 3–2 | Afghanistan’s first-ever ODI series win vs a Full Member nation — pure history! |
| 2015 | Bilateral Series | ODI | Sharjah, UAE | Zimbabwe won 3–2 | Zimbabwe bounced back strong — Sikandar Raza’s all-round brilliance shined bright. |
| 2016 | Bilateral Series | ODI | Bulawayo, Zimbabwe | Afghanistan won 3–2 | Mohammad Nabi’s calm leadership sealed a thrilling win. |
| 2016 | Bilateral Series | T20I | Bulawayo, Zimbabwe | Afghanistan won 2–0 | Rashid Khan spun webs Zimbabwe couldn’t escape. |
| 2017 | Bilateral Series | ODI | Harare, Zimbabwe | Afghanistan won 3–2 | Rashid Khan’s fiery five-for decided the final. |
| 2017 | Bilateral Series | T20I | Harare, Zimbabwe | Afghanistan won 3–0 | Nabi’s quickfire knocks brought the crowd to life. |
| 2018 | ICC World Cup Qualifier | ODI | Harare, Zimbabwe | Afghanistan won | Rashid Khan starred again, Afghanistan advanced to Super Six. |
| 2019 | Bilateral Series | ODI | Dehradun, India | Afghanistan won 2–1 | Rahmat Shah’s elegant fifties helped secure the series. |
| 2019 | Bilateral Series | T20I | Dehradun, India | Afghanistan won 3–0 | Hazratullah Zazai’s insane 162* lit up the night! |
| 2021 | Bilateral Series | Test | Abu Dhabi, UAE | Afghanistan won by 6 wickets | Rahmat Shah’s ton anchored Afghanistan’s first Test win over Zimbabwe. |
| 2021 | Bilateral Series | T20I | Abu Dhabi, UAE | Afghanistan won 3–0 | Rashid Khan’s economy rate under 5 — unreal consistency. |
| 2022 | T20 World Cup Warm-up | T20 | Melbourne, Australia | No result (Rain) | Friendly smiles, unfinished business. |
| 2023 | Bilateral Series | ODI | Harare, Zimbabwe | Afghanistan won 3–0 | Ibrahim Zadran’s back-to-back fifties sealed dominance. |
| 2024 | ICC World Cup Qualifier | ODI | Bulawayo, Zimbabwe | Afghanistan won | Afghanistan qualified for the Cup; Zimbabwe fell heartbreakingly short. |
2014–2015: When It All Began
Picture this: Bulawayo, 2014. A young Afghan team, hungry for recognition, facing a seasoned Zimbabwe side. Nobody expected much — except the players themselves.
Afghanistan won the series 3–2, their first-ever ODI win over a Full Member nation. The joy on their faces said it all. You could feel the weight of history being lifted.
But cricket’s beauty lies in comebacks, doesn’t it? In 2015, Zimbabwe roared back in Sharjah, winning the series 3–2. Sikandar Raza’s magic with both bat and ball turned matches on their heads. It was as if Zimbabwe said, “Not so fast, young guns!”
2016–2017: The Spin Era and Rashid’s Rise
If you ever watched Rashid Khan bowl in those years, you’d know — it was like watching a cobra charm its prey. His deliveries danced, dipped, and destroyed.
In 2016, Afghanistan claimed both ODI and T20I series in Bulawayo. Rashid’s mystery spin and Mohammad Nabi’s calm composure made the difference. Zimbabwe’s batsmen tried everything — sweeping, charging, defending — but the Afghan attack was relentless.
Then came 2017. Same story, different venue. Afghanistan edged Zimbabwe again in both formats. The ODIs went right to the wire, ending with Rashid’s iconic five-wicket haul. It was cricket at its most thrilling — every over felt like the last breath of a marathon.
And through it all, there was mutual admiration. Zimbabwe’s captain congratulated Rashid personally — a classy gesture you rarely see in modern sport.
2018: The World Cup Qualifier Showdown
Now, this one still gives me chills. The 2018 ICC World Cup Qualifiers in Zimbabwe were more than matches — they were emotional rollercoasters. Both sides desperately wanted to qualify.
When they met in Harare, the stakes were sky-high. Rashid Khan, yet again, proved to be Afghanistan’s savior. His wickets broke Zimbabwe’s middle order, pushing Afghanistan into the Super Six stage.
I remember fans in the stands waving both nations’ flags together. That’s when I realized — this rivalry wasn’t about hate; it was about pride and love for the game.
2019: Dehradun Diaries
Fast forward to 2019 — the Dehradun series was all about confidence and flair. Afghanistan’s batsmen looked fearless, like they were writing a love letter to T20 cricket.
And then, Hazratullah Zazai happened. His 162 not out in a T20I wasn’t just big hitting — it was controlled destruction. Every shot was a statement: Afghanistan had arrived on the world stage.
Zimbabwe fought hard, as always, but this was Afghanistan’s era of dominance. You could feel the tide had turned.
2021: When Test Cricket Entered the Chat
You know a rivalry is serious when it moves beyond limited overs and into the purest format — Test cricket.
In Abu Dhabi, 2021, Afghanistan and Zimbabwe faced off in whites. It wasn’t just about skills; it was about patience, grit, and mental strength. Rahmat Shah’s century guided Afghanistan to a memorable victory.
Even though Zimbabwe lost, their spirit was intact. Sean Williams and Raza played with heart, showing that class doesn’t fade with form. Watching them play felt like seeing two nations growing up — right before our eyes.
2023–2024: Modern-Day Masters
In recent years, Afghanistan’s cricketing rise has been nothing short of cinematic. Players like Ibrahim Zadran and Rahmanullah Gurbaz brought flair and fearlessness. Meanwhile, Zimbabwe found a heartbeat in Sikandar Raza — a man who seems to carry his team’s hopes on his shoulders.
The 2023 series in Harare was a sweep — Afghanistan 3–0. But even then, Zimbabwe fought every ball. And in 2024’s World Cup Qualifiers, the story was bittersweet. Afghanistan soared through, while Zimbabwe’s dream ended too soon.
It was heartbreaking — you could see tears in players’ eyes. Yet, there was respect, handshakes, and smiles. That’s what makes this rivalry so special — no matter who wins, both leave the field with pride.
Head-to-Head Summary
| Format | Matches Played | Afghanistan Wins | Zimbabwe Wins | Tied/No Result |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| ODI | 26 | 17 | 9 | 0 |
| T20I | 15 | 13 | 2 | 0 |
| Test | 2 | 1 | 1 | 0 |
(Updated till 2024)
Heroes Who Made It Unforgettable
Every rivalry has its legends — players who light up the field with their passion and heart.
- Rashid Khan (AFG) – The young wizard who turned spin into art.
- Mohammad Nabi (AFG) – The veteran who carried Afghanistan’s dreams on his shoulders.
- Sikandar Raza (ZIM) – The fighter who never backs down, no matter the odds.
- Rahmat Shah (AFG) – Grace under pressure; the silent hero of big games.
- Sean Williams (ZIM) – The cool-headed leader who gave his all for Zimbabwe cricket.
These players didn’t just play cricket — they felt it, lived it, and made us believe in the power of persistence.
Why This Rivalry Matters
What makes this rivalry different? It’s not about huge stadiums or million-dollar contracts. It’s about heart, struggle, and hope.
Both teams came from cricketing obscurity. Both faced challenges that would’ve broken others. But instead, they rose — like phoenixes from the ashes — and built something worth remembering.
Every Afghanistan vs Zimbabwe match is a reminder that cricket isn’t just a game of numbers. It’s a story of people, of nations, of dreams refusing to die.
And if you’ve ever felt like an underdog in life, trust me — watching these two play will hit home.
Final Thoughts: The Story Still Unfolds
The Afghanistan National Cricket Team vs Zimbabwe National Cricket Team timeline isn’t over. It’s just evolving.
Both teams have inspired millions — not because of trophies, but because of their tenacity. They’ve shown us that you don’t need a long history to create legacy; you just need heart, unity, and belief.
So next time they face each other, don’t just check the scorecard — watch the story unfold. Because in their battles, you’ll see a reflection of every dreamer who never gave up.
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